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SOUTHERN TRIBUNE. edited and published weekly, by wM . B . II AKRISO X , CITY PRINTER. M A C O N , G A . SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. 12, 1850 ,[y YVe are under obligation to the Editors of Scott’s Paper, Philadelpliia, fora synopsis of the Reports of the Secretaries of the Interior, Army, and Nary. The space occupied by these public documents, is well filled. TO OIU PATRONS. As we have changed the character ol the “Museum," and converted it into the“BouTiiEf.N Tribune,” vve shall continue the latter upon the same terms as the former. We take this opportunity to express our unfeigned thanks to those who have heretofore patronized us, and solicit a continuance of tiie same —flattering ourselves that we shall be enabled to render our paper more worthy of support. “Equal rights to all ; exclusive privileges to none,” is the great foundation principle of the Democratic creed—the characteristic trait which distinguishes it from all other creeds—the great feature which endears it to the people, because in its practical operation it unites the whole strength of the community for the equal protce. lion of each individual ; and because without it there is no security for rights and no protection to interests. By this principle we shill test all measures; by it we shall measure all men. With these views and purposes, it necessarily follows that our Paper cannot he the supple organ of any mere clique of men. While we shall, with what ability we possess, support the Democratic Party in its adherence to and ad vancement of Democratic principles ; and shall defend those principles against the assaults of their open and professed enemies, wo shall also, if need be, defend them against the attacks of their professed friends. Among the inducements which determined our mind in making a change in the characterof this paper, is the present state of the Republic and the vast results impending upon the way ward and distracted spirit of our national councils. There are conjunctures and perils in the history of all communities when indecision is ruin and indifference amounts to a paltry minded sel fishness, that is only adequately punished bv the worst inflictions of tyranny. At this moment we regard these States as involved in great peril—greater perhaps than ever before in vested us either from domestic or foreign influ ences. And the alarming symptom, to our mind, in the spirit of the times, is, that there is neither check nor reaction in the progress of aggressions that are outraging our rights or the least confusion, or diversion of strength produced by any—the most heterogeneous combinations that are made against us. All keep their eyes steadily fixed upon the grand objjet, and wheth er before, they hated and fought like devils— whether the body of our enemies are made up of subterranean plcbeans or celestial federalism —of men whose political faith is a violation of the rights of property, or of those whose caste or social power exists only by exaggerated wealth ; whether of priest or atheist, it matters not, all, all unite against us, and evince a harmony and a strength in that harmony that shames us by the contrast and example, while it is working our ruin. Asa Southern man—whose all is on board with Southern men, we feel the hour has come in which we should not he silent or remiss. If our humble abilities may not he able to conij ass any thing more effective, we may collate the ovrrt arts nntJ tlociope' r „ i t . "* ‘ft v»»4» ivtca ctliu isl till.* community see what is preparingfnr our children- The community too should see this as soon as possible, that the public mind should settle and at once, upon some permanent line of policy. better for us even to quietly sink down into a dumb and stolid endurance than be eternally agitated by apprehensions of damage and dis grace that we only half intend to resist. The sooner we know our fate the better. The soon er we know, whether the old doctrine so rife in libi, that we are and should be a consolidated government, is to be revived, the better, for then we will look about us for our faction too, and form our countervailing alliance with some other portion of the States, tiiat we may somc times give blows as well as receive them. If State Rights and independent State Sovereignty is an “ obsolete idea," let that too be proclaimed, for then will we no longer seek to arrest the evils of a dishonest majority legislation by State interposition, but bide our time, and when it comes, strike the barbed iron into the flanks of those who now vex us. We candidly confess that the amount of the present stake involved in the great controversy between the North and South, is not our great est concern—great as the stake is. Not insensi ble to the vast consequences to this portion of the States in any view that can he taken of it, that must result from any unjust or unauthorized intermeddling with slavery by Congress, we yet have no doubt that the violation of national faith and t\\c future disregard of our sacred charter, whenever interest or expediency invite a viola tion of its provisions, would prove the grand evil that must result from the present anti-slavery movement and that would soon lead to a complete overthrow of every guarantee. Where would be the stopping place ? If in so vital a matter as the institution of slavery, and in so plain and express a provision for it in the Constitution, we are not secure, in what then could we hope to find security ? Refining implications that can see a license for national restrictions on the ex tension of slavery to the remotest limits of the common territory, could just as easily discern the justice and propriety of making every Northern State a garden, by lavishing upon thorn our common treasure—or vindicate the superiority in wealth and numbers of tiie great States, as they are called, by destroying the equality of representation in the Senate—or im pose non-exportation laws to build up Northern factories—or in short, do any thing, how vile soever, or however regardless of our bond of l nion. If the North now succeed- in over riding us, the day of constitutional government is ended. A majority vote in Congress then becomes the law of our land, not even to be balked a moment by the Executive veto. Not a majority vote against us only, but as it may suit the cupidity or wilfulness of the larger States as in any direction, and upon any point they may precipitate their power. What then does ij behoove us to do ? Let no man, however high or humble in our community, evade the discus sion of this pregnant inquiry. For now, till this question is well and fully answered, there is but little left to interest us. In comparison to this danger, how small every other political interest —how bootless and frivolous old and effete party issues. Let us have dona with divisions —and scorn the unmeaning policy ol dividing brethren from each other by air lines, while they are threatened by a common danger. U'e must act energetically and promptly and together. Already do our people begin to feel despondent and to have something ofthat dejec tion and want of heart in our progress that the man feels who is uncertain of the tenure of his inheritance. Let the pride of men and of free men, first glory in self preservation, and then Jet us have the pride oftrue patriotism in saving ibis Union. W ccan doboth, if we only rally. We now unfurl our banner to the breeze, commending it to the fostering rare of our friends and the tender mercies of our political opponents. C it v Election. —The following is the result of the election held in this City on Saturday last for Mayor and Aldermen : FOR MAYOR. Geo. M. Logan, 26i |S. T.Chapman, 242 FOR ALDERMEN. A. P. Powers, 235 Lewis J. Groce, 22!) A Mix, 223 W. S. Lanier, 221 C. A Ells, 213 1L C. Freeman, 213 (i. W. Price, 1!)1 W. S. Ellis, 175 W. B. Watts, 67 T. J. Shinholser,* 293 William Dibble,* 200 Robert Findlay,* 289 Z. T. Conner.* 287 if. G. Ross,* 28(i IL F. Hess,* 207 William Collins,* 252 J. M. Green,* 24!) Scattering 25 FOR CLERK AND TREASURER. A. R. Freeman, .... 416 ‘Elected. Countv Election. —The election for County Officers of IJifib county, on Monday last, resul ted as follows : For Sheriff. —Thos. Bagby, (no opposition.) Clerk Superior Court. —U. G. Ross, (no opposi tion ) Clerk Inferior Court. —E. G. Jeffers. Tax Collector. —Richard Cain. Tax Receiver. —Uenj. Russell. Judge Inferior Court. —Henry Wood. Coroner. —Jesse Morris. County Surveyor. —Wm. Wood. Southern Enterprise. —The Southern Sen tinel, published in Columbus,says : “The South is every day getting to look more to the devel opment of its ow n resources for the supply of its necessities. The evidences of thisspirit are all around us, not the least pleasing of which, especially to the printer, is furnised in the Rock Island Paper Mill, which has just commenced operations in our midst. The paper on which this edition of the Sentinel is published, is the first fruits of that enterprise. This company will manufacture just as good an article, and sell it on better terms than it can be purchased from any northern house. Wc were most for cibly impressed a few days since on visiting the factory, with the transforming power of well directed industry. A few months since, the spot were it now stands in successful operation, was a wild and almost pathless forest. Now its silence has been broken by machinery, and its wilderness converted into the happy home of labor. [pj» The Savannah Republican of the 3rd inst. says: “Ilerr Downey attempted the novel feat of crossing the river on a wire, on New \ ear s day. He had made some progress towards the opposite shore, when his wire, which was not stretched tight enough, began to vibrate, and thereupon llerr D. was straightway soused into the river. A volunteer, who appeared to be a sailor, next attempted to go over on the wire, hand over hand, using his feet at the same time, but the wire fustnings on the opposite shore cither gave way, or some wag cut them loose, and he, poor fellow, was soused in like manner. Thus ended the trials of the day." Onto Legislature. —The Senate has at length organized, by the election of 11. G, Blake, (Whig) Speaker, on the three hundred and first ballot, lie hud seventeen votes to sixteen for all others. Knapp, (Dern.) was re-elected Clerk, on the second ballot, by a like vote, it is under stood that Swift (Detn. Free Soiler) voted for Blake as Speaker, and that Blake voted for Knapp for Clark. Millekism and Insanity. —Since the opening of the New Hampshire Asylum tor the Insane, in 1842, no less than twenty-two persons have been received as patients who have become in sane through the influence of Milleristn. Incident in a Mad House. —Some months since, an incident oceured in the Boston Luna tic Hospital, of a very peculiar character. A mother and daughter both became inmates, and were placed in the same story of the building, where they had access to the same hall. They met, and recognized each other, though one had left the other, years ago, in Ireland Both had crossed the ocean, became residents here, and Install knowledge of the other’s history or fate ; and both became bereft of reason, and came upon the public for support; and in a mad house, surrounded by those who were hopeless ly insane, the child and parent met and though reason was dethroned, and each, ti ns there, with a “mind diseased,” yet Nature triumphed over the clouded intellect, and, for a brief moment, the parties talked of the land of their birth, and when they had separated from each other. This incident is of romantic interest, sufficient to suit the most anxious inquirer after extraordinary advantages. Mutual Lite Insi m.<u. —Ten years ago says Hunt's Merchants Magazine, Life Insu rance was scarcely known in this country. Not over one in 30,000 of the American people had resorted to it ; very little knowledge of the sys tem had been diffused among our people up to that time—there were few who had any definite idea of the system —the masses gave no thought to the subject, and others, equally ignorant ol its tme character, regarded it with pious horror, as implying a distrust of God’s providence in the affairs of men. The error and this prejudice have passed away, and thousands and tuns ol thousands of our citizens, in all parts of the Union, are steadily resorting to Life Insurance, as the best and surest method of protecting their families from a precarious dependence upon the life of an individual. In tiie estimation of well-informed and think' ing men, this institution now holds a front rank among the benevolent enterprises which mod ern philanthropy lias originated for mitigating the evils, and for enhancing the enjoyments ol social life. Every good citizen, every man whose means are taxed to relieve the wants of others —in short, every member of the community, he his position what it may, is interested in the exten sion of the system of Life Insurance ; inasmuch as the diffusion of its moral influence, and of the substantial benefits which result from it,are eminently calculated to strengthen the bonds of social life, and to avert the destitution and suffer ing which otherwise would too often fall to the lot of the helpless and dependent. Business enterprises carried to successful is sues in a right direction, always afford ground for congratulation ; and especially, as in the present instance, where all the advantages re sulting from it, instead of enrichinga privileged few, are reserved to be distributed among the many, for whose benefit the insurance was ori ginally intended. Tn e Poor Soldi er. —The destitute condition of several of the brave and patriotic remnants of the New York volunteer regiment, who fought so gallantly in Mexico, has induced sev eral of the benevolent citizens of New York to contribute towards the immediate necessities of these maimed and suffering fellow-citizens- Pierre M. Van Wick lias just given SIOO. Consumption in New York. —Out of the 22,- 374 deaths in New York City in 184'.), it appears that 3,718 died of diseases of the lungs, (2,050 by actual consumption,) being, if we deduct the 5,072 cholera cases, one-fifth of the whole num ber The ratio of deaths of the whites is about 1 in 20 to the population. Cherokee Affairs. —The Fort Smith Herald of the 12ih ult. says: An old Cherokee settler informed us the oth er day tiiat the Treasurer of the Nation, Mr. David Vann, is a defaulter to the Nation to the amount S7OOO, and that when his accounts were audited by the committee appointed for that pur pose, and reported to the Counsil, the matter was hushed up and kept from the people. Mr. Vann was afterwards appointed dullegate to Washing ton, and is still the treasurer of the Nation, — Well,the Indians are learning all the crooks and turns of their “illustrious predecessors," the civilized whites. Death of Sir I. Brunei.. — Sir I. Brunei,Un distinguished Engineer of Thames Tunnel, &<• died in London on the 12th of December, in Lis 81st year. He was a native of llacqueviUe, Norniady. At the revolution of 1792 he fled to the United States, where lit: resided for some time engag< and in duties as engineer, architect, &c. lie returned to Lnglnnd where he pertec ted some machinery for making ship blocks. Other inventions were made by him, but the Thames Tunnel, w hich was projected and ac complished by him, is the chief triumph of his genius, lie was knighted under Lord Mel bourne’s administration. He leaves a widow, Lady Brunei, one son, an eminent engineer, and two daughters. U7P The distressed needle women of London, have been made the object of a Commission of inquiry instituted by the Morning Chronicle of. Three gentlemen well known in literature have exarriind the state of this unfortunate class, and the result is, that there lives in London a bod_\ of about 33,000 women permanentlv at the starv ation point; working at the wages of a few pence a day. France and America. —Tiie system of in ternational exchanges, so happily established through the efforts of the indefaligable Vatte maro, is working well, and cannot fail to be widely and eminently useful. The following letter shows that the French Government does not wish to be behind that of tiie United States in its practical appreciation of the system : Paris, Nov. 28, 184!). “I have before me a list of the medals which the government places at your diaposal to offer to the United States. It comprises one thousand and eighteen pieces of different designs. 1 no tice a George Washington, the Taking of Bos ton, a Paul Jones, the Capture of the Serapis, two Franklins, and two of the Battie of Cow pens. These medals will assuredly bo well re ceived by the Americans ; and, for my part, 1 mention them because they prove with what warmth Franco entered into the war of the rev olution—Frnuce, that has rendered the same homage to the glorious children of America as to the natives of her own soil. “Should dip’omacy bo employed in the pre sentation of this magnificent collection, it will he only with a view to give the affair more so lemnity, and to afford stronger evidence of the friendly disposition of the French government. You will be none the less considered as the me dium of the exchanges. “I have spoken to you several times of the museum. I am now able to state to you tha Messrs. Cordier and Miln Edwards have been directed by the Council of Administration to prepare two collections of minerals and insects for you." Report of tUe Secretary of the Navy. lie refers to the many desertions in California, . nd the difficulty of enlisting men there at $lO and sl2 per month, u bile the merchant service is paying from SBS to $l5O. Our squadrons in the Mediterranean, Pacific, China seas, on the Brazil coast, &c., have all been received with kindness and treated with courtesy. Lt. Davis has been charged with the duty of superintending the preparation of a Nautical Al manac, and Prof. Page lias been entrusted with the duty of making practical experiments for testing the capacity and usefulness of the elec tro-magnetic power, as a mechanical agent for the purpose of navigation and locomotion. The Secretary gives a full account of the steam mail service. The Liverpool line will probably be completed within tiie time stipulated. This system, however, of increasing the Navy by ocean steamers is deprecated ns too costly. For “a naval establishment, that which vve arc most in need of is an independent naval force, of such extent and of such magnitude as the wisdom and liberality of Congress may think sufficient, and the necessities of the country require.” The number of insane persons now in the na vy hospital is but 12. The resolution authorizing the purchase of American, instead of foreign water rotted hemp, will have to be amended, in order to avoid a monopoly, and insure the growers of the article the supply of the navy. It is believed the West can furnish a sufficient supply superior to the foreign growth. The experiments in gunnery at the Washing ton Navy Yard have been very successful, and the observations and experiments at the Obser vatory continued with great skill. Reference is made to the examination of the Pacific coast by a joint commission of officers— to the floating dry docks at Philadelphia, Pensa cola and Riltery—and to the returns of prize agents. A revision and repubiication of the various laws passed for the government of the navy and of the general orders of the Navy Department urgently ecmanded attention. Attention is asked to onr interest in the Paci fic ocean, and to the increasing obligations the Government are under to protect and cherish it. Within a short period vve have added an ex tent of sea coast to our possessions of more than nine hundred miles, embracing many good, and one of the best harbors in the world, possessing immense mineral wealth, attracting to its shores the inhabitants of all nations and inviting to it the commerce and trade of every climate. The four first class sea-going steamships are in a course of completion ; the San Jacinto will he ready in the Spring, and the other two during the ensuing Summer. The Secretary recom mends the building of others. Thu Secretary says the number of officers of the Navy in the higher grades are greater than are required, either for the vessels now in com mission, for the number of men authorised by Congress to be employed, or for any increase of force afloat which may reasonably be expected. The numbers in the respective grades are dis proportioned to each other. Its present organi zation retards promotion. Age, infirmity, and want of employment have disqualified many for the performance of active professional duties! These evils are felt and acknowledged by all who have a just regard for the prosperity and of the service. if - heretofore recommends a reduction of the numbers in the various grades of officers to that point which will secure a sufficient number in each for such a naval force as Congress may de termine is necessary and proper, and that provi sion be made for a retired list for such officers as are disqualified for active service, on such terras and with sucli pay as may he thought’ liberal and just. Should Congress deem it proper to adopt such a system, it is believed a plan can be prepared which will meet the approbation of a large proportion of the officers themselves, and which will greatly reduce the expenditure of our naval establishment. Attention is invited to the naval school at An napolis- During the last year it lias been under the superintendence of Commodore Upshur, who has devoted himself with zeal to the dis charge of his duties. Experience had disclosed many defects in its organization and suggested many improvements which might he readily ef fected without materially increasing the expen diture for the institution. The estimates for the naval service for the en suingyear amount to $9,203,35615, frown which deduct $2,998,978 for special objects. The total amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year ending tiie 30th of June, 1841), is $13,167,966 86 ; from which deduct re payments $2,269,623,99, and the sum of $lO,- 898,342 87 is shown as the expense of the navy and marine corps, and including all the objects placed under the control of the Navy Depart ment for that year. The unexpended balance iu the Treasury of the appropriations for the naval service and ma. tine corps on the 30th of June, 1849, was $2,- 039,798 13, all of which will be required to meet the outstanding obligations due from the appropriations made for that year. The value of stores and materials on hand at navy yards for naval purposes, exclusive of ship building, in ordinary, undergoing repairs and in commission, navy yards and other public lands required for the purposes of the navy, with their improvements, is $9,853,921 27. The report closes by asking for an appropria tion to pay a balance of $30,000 to officers and privates, entitled to three months’ extra pay for services during the Mexican war. Annual Report of tire Secretary of tire In terior. The annual report of Mr. Ewing, Secretary of the Interior, occupies four and a half columns of the Intelligencer. It recommends the creation of the office of Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, to determine all legal questions: and suggests, in view of the decay of the public buildings at Washington, that specimens of the stone, of which they are built bo carefully ana lyzed, and that a series of experiments he tried, with a view oHimling some chemical agent, the application of w hicli will prevent its absorption of moisture, and tints strengthen and render it durable. The wings of the Patent Office are being con structed of a different material—white marble, from the quarry in Baltimore county, Md. list a strong stone, resisting about three times ns great a crushing force as the sandstone of the front building. All the practicable tests which were applied show it to he durable. It is a ma terial of great beauty, and it will be easier to make the front building correspond with the gray gneiss, or any other strong and durable stone of mixed or varied colors, which could be readily procured. The Secretary thinks, if Congress should make an appropriation, considerable progrcs s may be made in the coining season, in collecting choice varieties of forest trees and shrubs, and planting and improving the public grounds. The Patent Office, which marks the progress and results of the inventive genius of the Ameri can people, is and object of increasing interest and importance. The establishment of an Agri cultural Bureau, separated from the Patent Office> is recommended. The claims for bounty land warrants filed at the Pension Office, prior to Nov. 5, was about 38,000 ; of these, 9,000 have been suspended or rejected ; and about 20,000 remain to be filed. The number of invalid pensioners has increased during the year, 989 ; the whole number now on the list is 4,115. The quantity of public lands sold for cash, in the first three quarters of 1849, was 887,206,040 acres, and the amount located by bounty war rants 2,496,560 acres, making an aggregate in crease over the sales and locations of the prece ding year, of 410,325,80 acres. Os 163,000 claims for bounties, 2,922 have been satisfied in money, and 70,390 have been allowed to be satisfied in land—which will re. quire 10,636,120 acres ; and should there be but 100,000 valid claims, as estimated, then there will remain 26,688 unsatisfied claims, which, i( settled in land, will require a further quantity 0f4,020,480 acres, making in all 14,656,600 acres- Prior to Ist of October last there had been loca ted with those Mexican war warrants, 5,025,- 400 acres, leaving yet to be located 9631,200 acres. Until the bounty warrants are exlinus. ted, receipts in cash from the sales of public lands must he comparatively small. Considerable space is devoted to an account of the gelegical exploration and surveys of the mineral lands in Michigan,Wisconsin, and Iowa; and also in relation to the public lands in Oregon, ' California, and New Mexico. The Secretary says it will be especially nc cessarv to establish a judicial commission to ex amine and settle land titles in California. As to the disposition the Government should make of its mineral lands in California, the Secretary says: Iftlie United States sell the mineral lands for cash,and transfer at once all title to the gold which they contain, hut a very small part of their value will probably ho realized. It would he better, in iny opinion, to transfer them for sale or lease, reserving a part of the gold collec ted as rent or seignorage. After recommending a mint in California, the Secretary proceeds: When the land is properly divided, it will, in my opinion, he best to dispose of it, whether by lease or sale, so as to create an estate to be held only on condition that the gold collected from the mine shall be delivered into the custody of an officer of the branch mint. Out of the gold so deposited there should be retained, for rent and assay, or coinage, a fixed per cent., such as may be deemed reasonable, and the residue pass ed to tiie credit of the miner, and paid to him at in drafts on the Treasury or mint of the United States. The gold in the mine, and after it is gathered until brought into mint, should be and remain the property of the United States. The palter, sale, gift, or exportation of any portion of it be fore it shall have been delivered at the mints and so coined, or assayed and stamped, or it, concealment with intent to avoid the payment of rent or seignorage, should involve a forfeit ure of the gold itself, and also of the mine. The terms of lease or sale should be straingent, to enforce the pay ment ofseignorage and rents. So far as the surface deposite extend, I am of opinion that leases will, for yet a further reason, be paeforable to sale of the lands. If sold, they will pass at onec into the bunds of large capital ists ; if leased, industriuos men without capital may become the proprietors, as they can work the mines and pay the rent out of the proceeds. But where gold is found in the rocks in placers the case is different. These must necessarily fall into the hands of large capitalists or joint stock companies, ns they cannot be wrought without a heavy investment. The report concludes by urging the opining of a road to the Pacific, and referring to Indian affairs, which is retreated of at length. Annual Report or tin- Secretary of War. The annual report of Mr. Crawford, Secreta ry of War, occupies only a little over two col umns of the National Intelligencer, and we 1 :arn from it that the present strength of the Army is less than provided for by law, arising principally in discharges, deaths and desertions. Out of a force of 1200 regular troops in Cali fornia since the Ist of January, the desertions the first eight months have equalled two-thirds of that number. To remedy many of the defects of the present recruiting system, and encourage enlistments in the vicinity of the troops serving at frontier, and remote stations, especially in California, Oregon and New Mexico, it is recommended that a bounty be allowed to each recruit enlist ed at or near such stations, equal to the cost of transporting and subsisting a recruit from the general depot to the place of such enlistment.— To guard against desertions and promote good conduct, it is proposed that the bounty should be divided into instalments, so that their sever al amounts would be increasing annually accor ding to the length of service, and the largest amount be paid to the soldier on his discharge. This bounty would also be a strong inducement to old soldiers to re-enlist in their respect. I ive companies, an object always deemed ofilii j portaneu to the service. It has been found impracticable to carry into effect the provisions of the act of the 14; of August, 1848, which authorises au in ere arse of the rank and file of certain regiments by trans fers from others of the same arm ; the present organization being too limited, and the difficul ty of keeping the several companies up to their legal compliment too great, to hazard a further reduction with the due regard to ti e disciplide and efficiency ol the several crops. For the protection of our territory in K evv Mexico from Indian depredations it is sugges ted that numeicral stength of each compay at the several military post in our western frontier he increased seventy-four privates, and that a part of the infantry be mounted as emergencies arise. The Secretary submits wheatlicr the object in authorizing brevet commissions (which haic heretofore cused much embarrassment) is not accomplished by retaining them as honorary distinctions, and restricting the officers holding them to their lineal rank and, pay according if, their commissions by which they are mustered in their respective regiments aud corps. If any exceptions be made to the rule here proposed, it isbeiieved that in view of of the more efficient discipline and service of the troops, brevet rank and pay should exist only when volunteers arid militia are united with the regular army; or when the officers having brevet commissions are detailed for duty by special assignment with difficult or expensive coiniiiuds in remote depart ments or divisions. It is recommended that a law he enacted, re quiring officers of the general stall’ serving with troops, to execute according to their respective duties all order emanating from the senior officer of the line, which may relate to the discipline police and good order of his command, and for which ho alone is responsible. The Secretary makes some appropriate rem arks touching retiring disabled officers from the army, and suggest that the President be author ized to place upon the retired list such as in his judgment may be disqualified from age, wounds or other disability, with an allowance equal to the pay proper of their respective grades. An effective check on the exereiz of this power is no officer shall be retired until the Senate shall have confirmed the nomination eFhis successor. The numherer of those who may, with advant age to the public service, be retired, will proba bly not exceed twenty-five; the sum of whoso pay will he less than fifteen thousand dollars annually. The plan of the commanding General provid ing an asylum for veteran soldiers, is warmly urged ; or in case of its non-adoption that dis bursing officers be authorzed to recteve volunta ry contributions for that object. The Military Academy at West Point ishiglilr commended, and the Indian outrages in New Mexico, Texas and Florida, referred to at length. The establishment of military posts in Oregon —the protection afforded overland emigran's to California—and the erection of fortifications on the Pacific, are next referred to, and the report closes with reference to the operation of the late military authority in California, now suppress ed by tiie civil authority. Maryland Legislature. —The Charleston Courier says: The Legislature of Maryland con vened in the city of Annapolis on the 31st. At the hour of 12 o’clock M the Chief Clerk called the Seriate to order. The roll wos called, and all the members but three answered to their names, and were duly qualified. The Senate then adjourned till the following morning. In the House of Delegates, at 12 o’clock, M., the Chief Clerk of the last House, called the members to order, and they were sworn in. '1 here were hut five ahscntei s. Without pio ceeding to the election of a Speaker, the House also adjourned. It is understood that Ex-Governor I’r.itt is the favorite of a majority of the Whigs as their can didate for United States Senator. There is said to lie 37 members of the House in favor ofjlr. Pratt out of the 82. Destruction or the Snip Caleb Grimshaw, The N. Y. Commercial says : “The steamship Cambria brings us an account of the loss of this splendid ship by fire, at sea. We subjoin the account given by Cupt. Iloxie to his owners. The Caleb Grimshaw was owned by Samuel Thompson and nephew of this city, and was built in this city in 1848, in a superior manner. She was of 987 tons burthen; valued at about SBO,OOO, and had a cargo on board worthatJcast $200,000. The vessel and about two-thirds ot the cargo were insured in Wall-street. Tho rest in England. The crew and passengers numbering 399 souls, w ere, with much difficulty, saved by the British hark Sarah, Capt. Cook, who remained by the burning vessel eight days for tlmt purpose. Wo learn that insurance was effected on the Caleb Grimshaw on Saturday last, at double the usual rates only, so great was the confidence in the ship and Captain.” Hungari an Citizens. —Count Ujhazy, Mi* Jngello, and fourteen other Hungarians, M Monday last, at New York, declared their in tention to become citizens of the United Stales* by taking the first legal steps. Legislature ok New Y ork. — In Assembly on the 2d inst., Noble S. Eldorkin, of St. La wrence county, was chosen Speaker, and James S. Rose, of Albany, Clerk. Both are Demo crats. Singular Fact. — It is stated that wliile the subscription in New Y’ork, in aid of the Hung 4 rian Refugees, has nearly reached $4,000, a P ru position to raise funds i«»r tli6 rc!»cf of *- w 1 ‘ tiled New- York Volunteers has entirely failed- Official. —The following is a copy of Superintendent of the Finances of the Is lan 0 Culm, received from tbe United States C l,n,a at Havana : (Translation.) By royal order, under date of October -U , Majesty has been pleased to grant to the p Ol Cardenas the privileges of general cotnl '' C ( j. enjoyed by the other ports of entry of tho > a4 and as that order of the Sovereign C ( j ( mnee to rule on the first day ol January is made public by order of his Superintendent General of the Royal l reilS for general information. Joaquin CampO* aS °' Havana, Nov. 26 1849. Enormous Land Sales. — According Commissioner of the General Land the past year upwards of six mi 11 ions 0 of land were advertised for sale, and mo six and a half millions are prepared Tot a groat part ol which will ho proclaim® the ensuing year.